Agenda item

To submit a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

Submitted – a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that in June this year, Isle of Anglesey Education Authority was reviewed by Estyn and the report was issued on the 22 July, 2022.  The inspection looked at outcomes, teaching and learning, leadership and management, and identified successes and any area for improvement.  He said that the report was a very positive report and noted that the robust quality and effectiveness of the Learning Services leaders within the Authority contribute effectively towards ensuring high quality education services.  It was identified that a ‘Team Môn’ ethos and mind set has been developed, where everyone’s co-operation and contribution are valued, nurtured and used for the benefit of the island’s children and young people.  There were two areas of good practice identified and the Learning Services is preparing case studies on this coherent work and two areas requiring improvement as was noted in the report.  

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People reported that the Estyn report on the Local Authority’s Learning Service is a very positive report.  The report   highlighted that the robust quality and effectiveness of the Learning Service has contributed to the high quality education service on the island.  The team has set high expectations, lead teams effectively and co-operated well to drive strategic priorities.  The Team, including elected members, are prepared to make difficult and timely decisions by changing and refining plans and priorities as circumstances required.  He noted that continued reference within the report to effective working and also working in partnership with other services within the Authority and with schools.  He further referred to the reference as regards to well-being within the report with specific reference made to supporting and promoting the well-being of learners and the workplace especially during the pandemic and the ethos of working in a preventative manner is crucial to the work of the Authority. 

The Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel, Councillor Gwilym O Jones said that the Education Scrutiny Panel held on 22 September, 2022 received a presentation by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People on the Estyn Post-Inspection of the Education Authority together with Draft Action Plan.  At the meeting the Director of Education, Skills and Young People highlighted the main messages and recommendations within the report.  He further said that the Panel has raised that there were two recommendations within the report that are areas requiring improvements: Strengthen processes for evaluating the effect of the Learning Services’ work and Develop and strengthen formal scrutiny arrangements.   The Scrutiny Panel will self-evaluate its scrutiny input to evidence the added value to the education system as part of the work programme; it is considered that this will be discussed in February 2023.  The Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel said that whilst the Panel welcomed the Estyn Post-Inspection report it was noted that the Panel will monitor the achievements against the Draft Action Plan.

The Committee welcomed the positive Estyn report and raised the following main points:-

·           Questions were raised as to what extent the action plan responds fully to the recommendations from the recent inspection of the Education Authority by Estyn.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that although it is not a statutory requirement by Estyn, the recommendations from the report have been collated into a Post-Inspection Action Plan.  The Scrutiny Manager also referred that the forward work programme of the Education Scrutiny Committee will focus on the requirements of Estyn to address issues raised during the recent inspection. The Education Scrutiny Committee will thereafter report back to this Committee on the work undertaken.

·           Questions were raised as to whether there are omissions or areas that require further consideration following the Estyn report; reference was made to the early-years, nursery provision within the schools. The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that the recommendations highlighted within the report will be addressed by the service.  He referred to the early-years, pre-school provision within schools and noted that a team within the education service is working to improve the provision offered.

·           Questions were raised as to how achievable the timescale put forward by the Education Service will address the recommendations within the Estyn report.  The Director of Education, Skills and Young People responded that work has been undertaken already to address the recommendations of the Estyn report through the Education Scrutiny Panel. 

It was RESOLVED that the Estyn Post-inspection Action Plan responds to the recommendations of the Estyn inspection.

ACTION: As noted above.